Page 67 of Rebellion of a Kingdom

“I love you.” I whisper, dashing away, but not before I hear him say I love you too.

I don’t have to think that hard about where I might find Jace and nod for Mason to follow me. We move through the empty hallways until we reach the back double doors and I push out of them. Mason checks around the area, hand on his gun, as we head towards the bleachers.

As soon as I’m close, I spot Jace’s relaxed physique laying across one of the benches. If I weren’t so pissed, I’d roll my eyes. I storm towards him and when I’m close enough, I yell out to him.

“What don’t you understand about nowhere alone, pretty boy!” I huff, annoyed that I even need to remind him.

He sighs loudly, sitting up to watch me march up the stairs, “Elle.” He greets me.

My name on his lips sounds sad and full of grief. Fuck. I drop down next to him, nudging his shoulder, “everything okay?”

“Just needed to breathe.” Is all he says. His stare fixed on the woods in the distance. The same woods I was taken from. The same woods Rachel's body was found in. I’m not stupid, I’ve seen the darkness clinging to him. The same darkness I sensed in him early on, but he never let it fully manifest. It’s been swirling close to the surface. He needs snapping out of it.

I stare into the woods with him, until an idea hits me. I bring my gaze back to him and smile, “wanna sneak out for Starbies?” I offer him and for the first time I see the tug of that real Conrad smile.

“Won’t we get in trouble?” He asks, and I laugh a little.

“Pretty boy, we are always in trouble. Come on.” I drag him down the bleachers towards Mason.

“Hey Mase.” I say sweetly, and he smiles eyeing us both.

“Elle.” He nods his head, “what can I do for you?”

“Coffee run. Wanna grab everyone a little pick me up.” My smile is casual as I hold my breath, awaiting his response, I expect pushback. With everything going on, running out for a coffee isn’t exactly essential, but that's what having the extra security is for.

He eyes me before speaking, “you armed?” He asks, and I scoff.

I flash my weapons, “aren’t I always?” I say, cocking my brow at him and he laughs.

“Come on then, take your car and I’ll follow you.” His response is quick, as he turns on his heels and walks away from us.

Hmm, that was easier than I expected, I guess I forget that they do, technically work for me. I’m just so close to them, that they always feel more like extended family than employees. I smile and toss Jace a wink and he laughs as we both move across the open school grounds and head to the parking lot.

I let Jace drive and before I know it, we are slipping through the gates with Mason on our tail. We drive silently and aimlessly, both of us lost in thought and enjoying the pretend freedom we feel, from just being able to drive. No mission planned, no killings warranted, just two friends heading for coffee.

We pull into the first Starbucks we come across and skip the drive through, to park up. I call Mason and ask him what he wants and once I have his order, Jace and I head inside. It's relatively quiet considering it's the middle of the day, and we slot in line and wait our turn, joking back and forth while we pretend our problems don't matter. Once we have placed our ridiculously oversized order, since I tried to remember to get a little something for everyone, we snag a table and wait.

Jace focuses on his phone with a frown, “something wrong?” I ask and he shrugs.

“Not sure,” he starts before sighing, “I haven’t heard from Taylor.” He adds, and then it’s my turn to frown a little. He made it perfectly clear he didn’t want her involved.

“Were you expecting to?”

“Yes. No.” He sighs again, and I laugh. “She asked me out,” he admits, and my eyes widen in shock, “I said no and told her she should stay away from me.”

“What and now you’re mad that she actually listened to you?” I’m only half teasing him, but he shakes his head with a laugh anyway, tossing his phone onto the table.

“No, this is a good thing. It’s what I wanted.” There isn’t a hint of the playboy Rebel everyone knows, here with me, and my heart hurts for him. Then in true Jace style, he shuts it down and offers me that panty-melting smile of his, “just think of all the girls that will have missed me by the time we finish with our little problem.” He winks.

I scoff, “our little problem, is that what we are calling it these days?”

“Of course, Queenie, the Donovan’s scream little dick energy.” He’s completely serious and I can’t help but laugh at him.

“Don’t let Ash hear you say that. He will probably cut your little one off.” I tease. and he scoffs.

“Nothing little here, Queenie, don’t make me prove it.” He winks. and I throw a napkin at him.

“Then I’ll have to cut it off.” I give him my best sadistic grin as I pat my concealed knife. and he shudders. Our banter is cut off when the barista finally calls our names, and we move to pick up our order. It takes two trips for us to secure all the coffees into the car and when we are finally happy, that they won’t spill all over, we climb inside.

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